From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 211 Why be a vassal king? Of course, being a member of a powerful family or sect is more cost-effective.

Jing'an Prince's Mansion, Heir Apparent's Chengbi Courtyard, Study

Zhao Heng and Zhao Xun sat down in silence.
A moment later, Yu Xuanji brought two cups of tea, placed them in front of the two of them, and then silently withdrew, closing the door behind her.

From the moment he entered, Zhao Heng's gaze remained fixed on her. Only after the study door closed did he turn to Zhao Xun and ask, "Eleven years old, third rank, how did you deceive her?"

"Ha!" Zhao Xun laughed. "A little girl who experienced the war that destroyed her country and lost both her parents at the age of eight has lived in the same valley with me for three years. If I still can't subdue her, then wouldn't I be a complete idiot?"

Zhao Heng was speechless.

After a moment of silence, he said, "It's been three years. You've changed a lot, much more than I thought."

Of course, otherwise why do you think I left for three years? Isn't the main reason just to find an excuse for my personality change?
Zhao Xun chuckled inwardly, but said aloud, "In the three years at Shangyin Academy, I've read many books, witnessed countless debates, and studied the strategies of many Shangyin scholars. How could I not have changed?"

makes sense!

Zhao Heng smiled and said, "It seems that the trip to Shangyin Academy was worthwhile."

“You have to go out and see the world. What future can you have if you stay in this ghost town all day long?”

Zhao Heng: "..."

That makes so much sense, I'm speechless, but I still feel like you're being sarcastic or sarcastic towards me.

"Alright, now that you're back and confident that you've learned a lot at the Shangyin Academy, tell me, in this situation, how can our Jing'an Prince's Mansion ensure its stable continuation?"

You think you can just pass it down peacefully? You wish!
Zhao Xun smiled and said, "The situation is very chaotic now, but as long as Father is here, the Jing'an Prince's Mansion will be stable. Once Father is gone, the Jing'an Prince's Mansion will become a piece of meat in other people's mouths. It may be the other princes, or it may be the current royal family, or it may be these aristocratic families in Qingzhou. So, how to pass on the mansion depends on you."

That's as good as saying nothing at all.

“I will die eventually, and the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion will eventually fall into your hands.” Zhao Heng stared at Zhao Xun and said, “So don’t try to fool me.”

“Alright, then let me tell you,” Zhao Xun said with a smile. “The nine states of the Spring and Autumn period have been destroyed. Logically speaking, the world should gradually become more stable. However, the current situation seems unified, but in reality, it is no less chaotic than when the nine states of the Spring and Autumn period existed. The imperial court has its own ideas, the local governments have their own ideas, the various vassal kings are unsettled, civil officials and military generals are tearing each other apart, and there is also the Northern Barbarians eyeing us covetously. It’s simply a complete mess.”

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, his expression changed, and he spat out the tea leaves with a bitter smile. He shook his head and said, "The general trend of the world has nothing to do with our Jing'an Prince's Mansion. Although we are called princes, in terms of status and strength, we are the weakest among the princes, and also the least assertive. The general trend of the world is not for our Jing'an Prince's Mansion to worry about. All we can do is go with the flow and protect ourselves wisely."

"How can one protect oneself wisely?" Zhao Heng continued to press.

“The Qing Party and Beiliang!” Zhao Xun said, “The Jing’an Prince’s Mansion is located in Qingzhou. We must maintain good relations with the Qing Party and find a way to integrate into their society. Father has already been working on this, but it is not thorough enough. As for Beiliang, everyone knows about your feud with that butcher. Also, due to the terrain, if Beiliang has any disloyal intentions, Qingzhou is a necessary route for Beiliang. So, no matter how much that person in Tai’an City hates you, as long as Beiliang still exists, he will not easily touch you. As long as we grasp these two points, the Jing’an Prince’s Mansion will be able to settle down within twenty years.”

"What about twenty years from now?"

"Twenty years from now?" Zhao Xun shook his head. "The state of the world depends on strength and luck. Who knows what will happen in twenty years? Who knows what kind of monstrous figures will rise up? I'm not a charlatan from the Imperial Observatory; how can I predict it? Besides, Father, I advise you not to think so far ahead. Let's focus on the present." "Yes, focus on the present," Zhao Heng nodded. "Let's leave the matter of Beiliang aside for now. Do you have any good ideas on how to deal with the Qing Party?"

"The Qing Party's aristocratic families are powerful and deeply rooted. Father, have you ever thought about integrating into Qingzhou and becoming a member of the Qingzhou aristocratic families?"

"Have you forgotten the 'Laws on the Protection of the Imperial Clan'?" Zhao Heng glared at Zhao Xun fiercely. "Aristocratic families value inheritance and officialdom. We are princes and members of the imperial clan. If our titles are diminished generation after generation, we will eventually become commoners, and commoners who will not be allowed to serve in the government. How can we become an aristocratic family?"

"So, what we really need to solve is just the 'Regulations on the Imperial Clan'," Zhao Xun said with a smile. "In this world, what law is unchanging for all eternity? If it's not suitable, we'll change it. And this is exactly what the Green Party and the bigwigs in the court are best at."

"Amend the 'Regulations on the Laws Governing the Imperial Clan'!"

Zhao Heng was startled. He had always been troubled by the "Laws of the Imperial Clan" and was focused on passing on the throne. Only in this way could the status of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion be guaranteed. He had never even thought about amending the laws.

How could the "Laws for the Imperial Clan" be amended?

He asked himself that question.

Yes, why can't it be amended? Is there any law in this world that is unchangeable?

The "Clan Laws" have only been in effect for a few years.
"However, this matter cannot be rushed; we must proceed gradually," Zhao Xun cautiously reminded Zhao Heng, seeing his interest.

"Of course I know that, but this is a long-term matter. What are your thoughts on the succession to the throne?"

“We still need to look at the long term!” Zhao Xun said. “Father, I must say, you are too hasty in this matter.”

Was I too hasty?

"Yes, you are in the prime of your life, looking much younger than the emperor in the court. Moreover, you are skilled in martial arts, and living another thirty years is no problem. In thirty years, many things can change. But now you are in such a hurry to ask the court for a certificate of merit. Isn't that just exposing your weakness prematurely? The court can easily use this to control you and make the Prince's Mansion work for them by exhausting its strength. Isn't that stupid?"

“You…” Zhao Heng’s expression froze. He raised his hand, pointed at Zhao Xun, and cursed, “Yes, I’m stupid. Why am I so stupid? Isn’t it all for your throne? Do you think I want this? But if we don’t settle this matter sooner, who knows what the future holds? Whether there will be another chance? There are advantages to doing this sooner or later. This is just my choice.”

"I don't care about your choice, but you can't let anyone use it to blackmail you."

"You're making it sound so easy. In the 'Laws of the Imperial Clan,' only two hereditary titles were fixed. As for the rest, which one didn't have that ambition? Didn't the Northern Liang have it? The other two didn't have that ambition either. What difference does it make whether it's exposed or not?"

“Of course there is a difference. If you speak out, you become a target; if you don’t, there is always room for maneuver.” Zhao Xun shook his head and said, “Actually, I think that you and Xu Xiao are both just wishful thinking. You want to pass on this throne to yourselves, but you don’t even think about whether we, the lower classes, are willing to take it.”

"What, you still don't want to accept it?!" Zhao Heng glared at him.

"Of course I don't want to accept." Zhao Xun wasn't going to indulge him and glared back. "What's so good about being a vassal king? Being a vassal king is like being a bright nail, driven into Qingzhou. You can't help but attract attention. It's not as comfortable as being a noble family. There are no dynasties that last a thousand years, nor are there vassal kings that last a thousand years, but there are noble families and sects that last a thousand years. Dynasties and vassal kings will decline with the rise and fall of dynasties, but noble families and sects, as long as they are managed well, can last for a thousand years. Which do you think is better?"

(End of this chapter)